The number of confirmed or suspected mumps cases in Northwest Arkansas has grown to 89, encompassing at least two more cities, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Health said.
Health Department spokesman Meg Mirivel told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Friday afternoon that the outbreak, which was first detected in Springdale, has spread to school districts in West Fork and Huntsville.
At least two cases also have been found at New Technology High School in Rogers as of Thursday afternoon. Seventy-six cases had been reported in the state Thursday.
School nurses are keeping an eye on symptoms in Springdale, where dozens of students and staff members have contracted mumps. Districts and health officials are also urging good hygiene.
"These cases in other districts have been linked to cases in Springdale," Mirivel said. "[The outbreak] is still heavily concentrated in Springdale."
No treatment specific to mumps is available. Students who haven't been vaccinated and attend the affected schools are required to stay home until the mumps vaccine is administered or 26 days after the last confirmed case of the virus.
"We expect it to get worse before it gets better," Mirivel said.
Mirivel said it could take a few weeks or up to a month for health officials to see the effects of ongoing vaccination efforts.
The state Health Department said this year's outbreak of mumps is the largest cluster in Arkansas since 2010.
State Desk on 09/10/2016